I-129F March 2017 Filers

[Mattagba 141]

7 minutes ago, TJC said:

Having worked for a US Senator for a number of years I can tell you that in many instances it does help and can be useful in getting things like this moving. I did not handle constituent services myself (I did policy work in DC) so I can't give you an example of what we did and it's not 100% foolproof as it can depend on how good the caseworker is, etc. but when the Congressional branch of the government calls a federal agency it can have the effect of moving things (particularly since Congress controls the executive branch's budget/appropriations).

 

As to why doesn't everyone do this immediately after filing? a) most people don't think to contact their representatives for anything, let alone real issues like a stalled visa application--most contact people have with the reps are calling when they're angry about legislation or if they want Capitol tours when they visit DC. When we would talk to constituents and tell them they could have filed a request with us to get things done (i.e. expedited passport approvals, visa requests, etc.) they were shocked we could do anything for them. Also, b) the Congressional representatives won't step in for no reason, so it's not a tool you can simply use to "jump the queue" as you mention. So if things are within a reasonable period (with stuff like visas, that can be very subjective, obviously) of processing, the staff will usually tell you that at this point we can't do anything as it's still a reasonable period, but please let us know if you move well beyond the normal processing times. At which point they can start engaging. 

 

Hope that's helpful for people. Whether it's beneficial or not is hard to say as it's an opaque process, so no one at USCIS will say "we did this because Senator X contacted us," but from working in Congress for years I can 100% say that in other places this does have the effect of moving things along when they get stuck outside of normal processing times. Also, you have exactly zero to lose by contacting them. If they help, great then you've accelerated the process of reuniting; if not, at least you tried another avenue and engaged in the democratic process. Either way, there's no reason not to try and no reason to criticize people for making the effort or the people who work for the Senator and are legitimately doing their best to help their constituents.

It is easy for others to discourage or dismiss the option of contacting a Congressman/Senator about visa cases when their the person doing the dismissing has their NOA2 in hand. At this point i would believe in anything to get my NOA2. I am not a Trump fan but if contacting the White House would help, I will contact the WH.  

[AnJ Co 1,676]

18 minutes ago, TJC said:

Having worked for a US Senator for a number of years I can tell you that in many instances it does help and can be useful in getting things like this moving. I did not handle constituent services myself (I did policy work in DC) so I can't give you an example of what we did and it's not 100% foolproof as it can depend on how good the caseworker is, etc. but when the Congressional branch of the government calls a federal agency it can have the effect of moving things (particularly since Congress controls the executive branch's budget/appropriations).

 

As to why doesn't everyone do this immediately after filing? a) most people don't think to contact their representatives for anything, let alone real issues like a stalled visa application--most contact people have with the reps are calling when they're angry about legislation or if they want Capitol tours when they visit DC. When we would talk to constituents and tell them they could have filed a request with us to get things done (i.e. expedited passport approvals, visa requests, etc.) they were shocked we could do anything for them. Also, b) the Congressional representatives won't step in for no reason, so it's not a tool you can simply use to "jump the queue" as you mention. So if things are within a reasonable period (with stuff like visas, that can be very subjective, obviously) of processing, the staff will usually tell you that at this point we can't do anything as it's still a reasonable period, but please let us know if you move well beyond the normal processing times. At which point they can start engaging. 

 

Hope that's helpful for people. Whether it's beneficial or not is hard to say as it's an opaque process, so no one at USCIS will say "we did this because Senator X contacted us," but from working in Congress for years I can 100% say that in other places this does have the effect of moving things along when they get stuck outside of normal processing times. Also, you have exactly zero to lose by contacting them. If they help, great then you've accelerated the process of reuniting; if not, at least you tried another avenue and engaged in the democratic process. Either way, there's no reason not to try and no reason to criticize people for making the effort or the people who work for the Senator and are legitimately doing their best to help their constituents.

Well Said........

[FutureMrsBennett 69]

18 minutes ago, TJC said:

Having worked for a US Senator for a number of years I can tell you that in many instances it does help and can be useful in getting things like this moving. I did not handle constituent services myself (I did policy work in DC) so I can't give you an example of what we did and it's not 100% foolproof as it can depend on how good the caseworker is, etc. but when the Congressional branch of the government calls a federal agency it can have the effect of moving things (particularly since Congress controls the executive branch's budget/appropriations).

 

As to why doesn't everyone do this immediately after filing? a) most people don't think to contact their representatives for anything, let alone real issues like a stalled visa application--most contact people have with the reps are calling when they're angry about legislation or if they want Capitol tours when they visit DC. When we would talk to constituents and tell them they could have filed a request with us to get things done (i.e. expedited passport approvals, visa requests, etc.) they were shocked we could do anything for them. Also, b) the Congressional representatives won't step in for no reason, so it's not a tool you can simply use to "jump the queue" as you mention. So if things are within a reasonable period (with stuff like visas, that can be very subjective, obviously) of processing, the staff will usually tell you that at this point we can't do anything as it's still a reasonable period, but please let us know if you move well beyond the normal processing times. At which point they can start engaging. 

 

Hope that's helpful for people. Whether it's beneficial or not is hard to say as it's an opaque process, so no one at USCIS will say "we did this because Senator X contacted us," but from working in Congress for years I can 100% say that in other places this does have the effect of moving things along when they get stuck outside of normal processing times. Also, you have exactly zero to lose by contacting them. If they help, great then you've accelerated the process of reuniting; if not, at least you tried another avenue and engaged in the democratic process. Either way, there's no reason not to try and no reason to criticize people for making the effort or the people who work for the Senator and are legitimately doing their best to help their constituents.

Thank you! This helped alot. Good Luck to you as well

[AfricanQ 241]

59 minutes ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

Oh my god!!!!!!!📩🎈🎉🎈🎉

 

We just got out noa2 !!!!!!

 

Received date March 15

Noa1 date March 20

Noa2 date July 29 

 

Its day 142 !!! 

 

Good luck to everyone 😍

 

APP still says received 

No email

No text 

Just a hard copy

Omg we have the same received date March 15

NOA1 March 22

So close...., congrats my dear!!!

[Knifeboxx 125]

15 minutes ago, TJC said:

Having worked for a US Senator for a number of years I can tell you that in many instances it does help and can be useful in getting things like this moving. I did not handle constituent services myself (I did policy work in DC) so I can't give you an example of what we did and it's not 100% foolproof as it can depend on how good the caseworker is, etc. but when the Congressional branch of the government calls a federal agency it can have the effect of moving things (particularly since Congress controls the executive branch's budget/appropriations).

 

As to why doesn't everyone do this immediately after filing? a) most people don't think to contact their representatives for anything, let alone real issues like a stalled visa application--most contact people have with the reps are calling when they're angry about legislation or if they want Capitol tours when they visit DC. When we would talk to constituents and tell them they could have filed a request with us to get things done (i.e. expedited passport approvals, visa requests, etc.) they were shocked we could do anything for them. Also, b) the Congressional representatives won't step in for no reason, so it's not a tool you can simply use to "jump the queue" as you mention. So if things are within a reasonable period (with stuff like visas, that can be very subjective, obviously) of processing, the staff will usually tell you that at this point we can't do anything as it's still a reasonable period, but please let us know if you move well beyond the normal processing times. At which point they can start engaging. 

 

Hope that's helpful for people. Whether it's beneficial or not is hard to say as it's an opaque process, so no one at USCIS will say "we did this because Senator X contacted us," but from working in Congress for years I can 100% say that in other places this does have the effect of moving things along when they get stuck outside of normal processing times. Also, you have exactly zero to lose by contacting them. If they help, great then you've accelerated the process of reuniting; if not, at least you tried another avenue and engaged in the democratic process. Either way, there's no reason not to try and no reason to criticize people for making the effort or the people who work for the Senator and are legitimately doing their best to help their constituents.

You're arguing against things I was not saying. I'm not saying anyone is attempting to jump the queue (I did say that some people sound like that's what they're trying to do with their demanding requests), I'm saying ~if~ the process was that they instantly expedite any request that has a senator's name attached to it, everyone would just do that instantly when they file and it would be the top advice on every website about getting a visa. I am not saying at all that anyone should not contact their senator with any issues for really stuck cases, but I personally think, and will continue to think, that they are futile. I do understand that it is literally their job to look into constituent issues, but if they're just going to get the same answer or potentially a little more (that your notice is already in the mail or that they're doing background checks- duh!), really just a waste of everyone's time.

[Knifeboxx 125]

13 minutes ago, Mattagba said:

It is easy for others to discourage or dismiss the option of contacting a Congressman/Senator about visa cases when their the person doing the dismissing has their NOA2 in hand. At this point i would believe in anything to get my NOA2. I am not a Trump fan but if contacting the White House would help, I will contact the WH.  

Even if I were still waiting, I would manage my expectations like an adult and only get them involved if there were an undue delay

[MentalVoid 191]

My fiancé has his medical next week, on the 11th. This is the part I'm the most worried about, and when he saw my browser tabs he literally just sent me "...babe no". I was reading the physician guidelines and everything lmao. But it feels like everything is going like so fast now!

[Mattagba 141]

Just now, Knifeboxx said:

Even if I were still waiting, I would manage my expectations like an adult and only get them involved if there were an undue delay

Me managing my expectation as an adult is me patiently waiting and also contacting my federal representative to look into my cases for me. I do not expect my cases to be approved because my representative look into it. Knowing I exhausted all my resources and avenues helps me feel like I am trying. It all has to to with Hope and Faith. 

[Rev 392]

Guyyyyyyys, pretty sure I just got NOA2 !!!!!!!!  Wasn't expecting anything until possibly Monday but I have a letter and I can see a notice date of 7/31 in the little window.  Waiting an hour until I can open it on skype with my fiance   

Edited August 4, 2017 by Rev

[twoDs 590]

1 minute ago, Rev said:

Guyyyyyyys, pretty sure I just got NOA2 !!!!!!!!  Wasn't expecting anything until possibly Monday but I have have a letter and I can see a notice date of 7/31 in the little window.  Waiting an hour until I can open it on skype with my fiance   

What's the postmark date?

[Knifeboxx 125]

5 minutes ago, Mattagba said:

Me managing my expectation as an adult is me patiently waiting and also contacting my federal representative to look into my cases for me. I do not expect my cases to be approved because my representative look into it. Knowing I exhausted all my resources and avenues helps me feel like I am trying. It all has to to with Hope and Faith. 

Everyone of course has to do what makes them feel better. I don't like wasting peoples' time with requests that don't seem to do much but maybe that's because I also work a job where I process things for people and requests like this are useless to me and just pull me away from getting things completed in a timely manner for all my clients.

Edited August 4, 2017 by Knifeboxx

[Rev 392]

4 minutes ago, twoDs said:

What's the postmark date?

08/01/17.  Such a surprise I was before that 8/2 batch.

[DaveS1172 67]

I still have about 6 hours until I can check my mail today, but I did get my check from serving on jury duty yesterday - Feeling the wealth

Edited August 4, 2017 by DaveS1172

[Maria124 98]

13 minutes ago, Rev said:

Guyyyyyyys, pretty sure I just got NOA2 !!!!!!!!  Wasn't expecting anything until possibly Monday but I have a letter and I can see a notice date of 7/31 in the little window.  Waiting an hour until I can open it on skype with my fiance   

Congrats in advance. if i can exactly remember our dates were close to each other. my F received pur Noa2 today aug3. in us. the Notice date is 7/28

[KB2015 54]

NOA2!! OMG OMG! Crying lots of happy tears right now! 

 

Lawyer just emailed me my noa2 dated 7/29 ! 

 

Noa1: 3/27

Noa2: 7/29

 

Best wishes to everyone waiting!! 💕💕